Cops hunt for clues in man’s death in Boston

By Laurel J. SweetMonday, October 22, 2012

Police are still trying to determine what caused the death of a promising young real estate entrepreneur who was found unconscious with a head injury in the Financial District early Saturday, police said yesterday.

Police reported yesterday that Steven M. DiRoberto Jr., 27, of Worcester, identified by his employer, former co-workers and friends, suffered head trauma from what police believed to be “a physical altercation.” But officer James Kenneally, a spokesman for Boston police, said later the circumstances surrounding DiRoberto’s death were uncertain and remained under investigation. Police on patrol found him unconscious at Franklin and Broad streets just after 2:15 a.m. Saturday.

“He was probably on the fast track to being one of the next partners of the company,” Maxwell Burke, an owner of Boston Luxe Real Estate on Newbury Street, said of DiRoberto, a licensed real estate salesman.

DiRoberto, a 2008 graduate of Worcester State University, where he majored in finance, also showed apartments for RE/MAX Advantage in Worcester, where his mother and brother work. DiRoberto’s family could not be reached for comment.

“My heart is breaking for his family,” said agency owner Marcia Head. “He had a lot of friends, a lot of personality. He was just a nice guy.”

Realtor Maryann Schelin also worked with DiRoberto in Worcester.

“Everyone is in shock,” she said. “Steve was well-liked, always professional and hardworking. He will be greatly missed.”

DiRoberto was a standout pitcher for the WSU Lancers baseball team in 2006 and 2007, said coach Dirk Baker. “We recruited him out of Worcester Tech. He was one of our top guys both years. Baseball was everything to him.”

-— laurel.sweet@bostonherald.com

Boston Police are still looking for clues in the death of Steven M. DiRoberto Jr. (right), seen here with his brother Daniel, who died after being found with head injuries early Saturday morning in the financial district.